Merseyside fire engines are now carrying Oxygen masks for pets

Colin Ainscough

Oxygen masks designed to fit household pets and livestock will be carried by fire engines on Merseyside to help animals suffering from smoke inhalation after a blaze.

The kits come in three sizes to fit small pets such as dogs, cats, hamsters and snakes to larger animals such as sheep and horses.

Six engines in the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service fleet are the latest in the UK to carry the masks and related oxygen tubes, muzzles and a lead - in case an animal becomes agitated while being rescued.

The £90 kits have been provided by charity Smokey Paws and have already proved useful.

A dog was resuscitated following a chip pan fire at a home on Chancery Lane in St Helens earlier this month.

The 12-year-old female terrier was semi-conscious following the fire and firefighters used the small pet oxygen mask to revive the dog.

Station manager Franny Hill said: "The pet oxygen mask was vital in bringing this lucky dog back to consciousness and the kits will be of benefit to crews who attend fires in future where animals are involved."

Smokey Paws wants to get additional kits on more fire engines both in Merseyside and across the country so that other animals can be helped.

"Up until now, many fire services have been using human masks when treating animals which aren't shaped effectively enough; our pet masks ensure as much oxygen can be administered as possible to the animal or pet in need."

Rob Pritchard, group manager at the fire service, said: "Pets are an enormous part of family, so we are thrilled that we are now starting to see this life-saving equipment rolled out to fire engines across Merseyside."

Earlier this month, firefighters in Birmingham shared video of a Labrador puppy being revived using the same smaller masks.